Marla had been out most of the previous night and had come back this morning looking a mess and with mud on her clothes. She said she’d been out for a run, but this was unusual since she didn’t embrace her wolf as most of the pack did.
Marla might have been in the red car last night, since it had dirt in it and smelled like Marla’s perfume. Ryne might have been with her.
Elise frowned at the list. Was there anything else? Oh yes, Marty’s girlfriend was named Marlene. Marla could be posing as the on again-off again Marlene, but why? What would she get out of that? Marty hardly seemed her type. And ‘Marlene’ wanted to learn about cars, but why would Marla need that knowledge for anything?
Scrutinizing the two lists, Elise felt something was missing, so she began to make notes entitled ‘Random Ideas and Occurrences.’
First of all, Northern Oil wanted to drill test wells on pack land. They were offering a substantial sum for the rights.
Most of the pack didn’t want to sell the land, though a few expressed some interest.
There was an oil spill near the lake, which had temporarily ruined their drinking water and was costing a large sum to clean up. Was someone, maybe the oil company, trying to force them to leave? Or cause the pack to become financially in debt and in need of money?
A study had been commissioned to prove that Northern Oil shouldn’t be allowed on the land, but the report wasn’t as strong as Kane had hoped and now the oil company wanted to do their own study. Hmm... Marla had ‘accidentally’ taken the report, but had she actually changed it? It was possible, but what did she have to gain from that? Even if she’d done it for Ryne, what was his motive? Was it only revenge? Could he be working for the oil company and having Marla do his dirty work? But why would Marla help a man who threatened her? It just didn’t make any sense!
The phone rang then and Elise picked it up, pleased to hear Helen’s excited voice. Carrie and John had a son and while there were a few minor complications, mother and child were doing well. Helen wouldn’t be home until late and Elise assured her that was fine. She asked her to pass along best wishes to the new parents and told Helen yet again, that she’d manage to make her own meals. Smiling, Elise hung up and wandered toward the kitchen all the while thinking about what it would be like to have a pup in the house.
Staring into the fridge, she eyed the various selections. What should she make? It would just be herself and Kane for dinner; maybe an intimate meal would be a good way to start her confession about Bryan. Pleased with the idea that was forming in her mind, she picked up the phone. She’d call Kane on his cell and see what time he expected to return, and plan the meal accordingly.
Kane answered almost immediately. “Kane here.”
“Hi, Kane! It’s Elise. How are things going?”
“Busy. We’ve been out here all day. What about you?”
Elise hesitated. She didn’t want to tell Kane over the phone, nor worry him. “Not bad. I really want to talk to you though.”
“I miss you, too.”
Well, he’d misinterpreted that, but now wasn’t the time to explain. “Oh, John and Carrie had a baby boy.”
“Really? That’s great!” She could hear the excitement in his voice. He partially covered the phone and called out the news to the others before turning his attention back to her. “Give them all my best and tell them that I’ll stop by to see them as soon as I can.”
“When do you think you’ll be home?”
He sighed heavily. “I can’t say for sure. Probably not until late. Don’t wait up for me.”
Darn! There went her plans. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t really have time to explain right now. I’ll fill you in when I get back. Listen, I’ve got to go. Take care.”
“Sure. You too.” Elise slowly hung up the phone. So much for a romantic meal followed by a heartfelt discussion. Suddenly eating wasn’t overly appealing and she settled for heating up a can of soup instead.
The night dragged on, the Alpha house seeming to be overly large and very lonely. She was inexplicably restless and unable to settle down. Half-heartedly she looked at the lists she’d made earlier, but couldn’t concentrate. Grabbing the remote, she tried to lose herself in a romantic comedy, but found herself becoming too worked up over the love scenes. When the male lead kissed his partner, Elise felt her own desire skyrocket and found herself shifting uncomfortably on the couch, her panties becoming damp, her heart racing...
Leaping up, she began to pace the room, desperately looking out the window for any sign that Kane was coming. Running her hands through her hair, she then wiped the sweat from her upper lip and tugged irritably at her clothes. They felt tight, uncomfortable, and the tag at the back was suddenly irritating her endlessly.